Sixth form tips & advice

As promised, I'm back with a new video. It's been such a long time and I really miss making video's and blogging so that's a habit that I really need to get back in to! It's all been hectic in the world of Jess, but I'm not neglecting my blog or my you tube (promise).

I really need to get my head down this year and it's true what they say. A-Levels really do kill your social life but I'm in it for the long run, only I can shape my future, so I'm determined to be successful. This month, I've started my AS year in Philosophy & Ethics, English Language, Travel & Tourism and Media studies. In my video (below) you see my advice and tips for sixth formers everywhere! We're all in the same boat here it seems.

1 - At my sixth form we do have lockers. I wasn't going to invest in one to start with because I didn't see much point, but now I can't imagine my sixth form life without one! So handy and definitely worth it, although I need to make sure I keep my key safe as we only get one! I have a folder or so at home everyday whilst the rest are in my locker, and I just take them out as I need them. I take maybe one home a night to do revision or work (Yep, I've started revising already)

2 - I actually spotted these travel coffee cups in Primark a while ago and it never occurred to me how useful they would have been till a few weeks ago. I picked one up at my nearest primark and they were on offer at £1.90 so literally cheap as chips, here in England. I then invested in a 1L vacuum seal stainless steal flask which cost me £4 from Wilko. These both are very useful for my days at sixth form, saves me some money too. £5.90 for the travel cup/mug and my flask altogether, and probably £1 or so every month or two. Now cups of hot drink at my sixth form would set you back around 80p so I'm the one going to be making the savings. I take the cup empty in my bag, but somedays I will fill it up out of my flask before I set off to sixth form - warms my hands up and I get a warm tummy of tea! My flask of tea comes with me and I leave it locked in my locker throughout the day, I fill my cup up at breaks, lunch or free periods, I've had friends tell me how much of a great idea it is and I certainly think so too!

My handy coffee cup

3 - I was well organised well before even starting sixth form because I know how important preparation and organisation will be to me these next 2 years of AS and A2. I invested in a level arch folder for each subject and some subject dividers too. The thinner folders may be easier to carry around and a lot lighter but they do get full very quickly and I'd much rather have all my work in one place and have my dividers so I know which bit of work is where. Again, if you have a locker these folders shouldn't be too much of a problem.

4 - Stationary is a must. A-Levels involve a lot of note taking and writing, especially if you have essay based subjects like I do. It's best to have a pen you can write quickly and well with. I have some pens I thought were good pens but they can actually be quite uncomfortable to write with and hurt my fingers. Those comfy grips for pens are quite useful. I have a range of highlighters and stabilo fine coloured pens, I love these for taking notes. I also have coloured sticky notes too as I tend to like my notes to be colourful and stand out. A USB stick is also handy!

5 - Bags! We all have a small fancy handbag, but truth is at sixth form it will be totally useless. You're gonna have a lot to carry around even though I do deposit a lot of my folders in my lockers during the day. On the average day I carry folders, books, paper, stationary, food, drink and more. You want a fairy decent sized bag at least A4 sized or you will struggle.